Banksy’s street art often contains political slogans, and satirically critique greed, capitalism, hypocrisy and war. He often paints children, rats, apes and policemen in public places. Banksy challenges the popular notion whether graffiti is vandalism or art. His work was long considered vandalism, and often painted over, but he has risen to a kind of folk hero, especially to street artists.

I have included some of the famous Banksy quotes (many from Wall and Piece) and street art in this article. Enjoy!

“Nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful people with talent, leave the house before you find something worth staying in for.” Banksy

“Art is not like other culture because its success is not made by its audience. The public fill concert halls and cinemas every day, we read novels by the millions, and buy records by the billions. 'We the people' affect the making and quality of most of our culture, but not our art” Banksy – Wall and Piece

Public domain image courtesy of Banksy article on Wikipedia

“Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can’t even finish my second apple pie.” Banksy – Wall and Piece

“If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then you have to live a lie,” Banksy

“Remember crime against property is not real crime. People look at an oil painting and admire the use of brushstrokes to convey meaning. People look at a graffiti painting and admire the use of a drainpipe to gain access,” Banksy

“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages” Banksy - Wall and Piece

“Imagine a city where graffiti wasn’t illegal, a city where everybody draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that and stop leaning against the wall – it’s wet,” Banksy from Wall and Piece